Story by Providence Maraneli
Mangwe district of Matabeleland South province’s Makhubu Garden has become a shining example of a village business unit that has the potential to propel the community towards Vision 2030.
This Village Business Unit was established to counter the effects of the El Nino-induced drought.
It has become a beacon of hope for a community that has been struggling with livestock deaths, scarcity of potable water, and hunger throughout the year.
Ms Sikhozile Ndlovu represents the success of the village business unit which has set the community on a development pathway.
“We are so grateful to the government for establishing this solarised borehole, we now have hope here,” a villager said.
“We are planning to sell the green mealies so that we sustain ourselves and our children and expand the garden. We are operating this garden as a business and we think it can help us transform our lives,” another added.
The VBU’s chairperson Mr Tahaga Ndlovusaid, “We have 66 members who are beneficiaries of this scheme and it has really transformed our lives, we are growing maize, vegetables and butternut.”
The local leadership is convinced the establishment of village business units in semi-arid communities is transforming lives.
“This is a good example of how communities can be transformed, this is in line with the President’s vision of an upper-middle-income society by 2030,” Chief Sangulube said.
Government is on a drive to establish village business units in all 35 thousand villages across the country as Zimbabwe journeys toward an upper-middle-income society by 2030.
“The Presidential Village Business Unit is a key component of this vision, and we are proud to be playing a critical role in driving economic growth and job creation. As the government of Zimbabwe, we are aiming that all of our villages will have a Village Business unit which is comprising a nutrition garden, livestock feeding troughs, livestock drinking troughs, livestock veterinary corner, livestock sale corner, and washing basins for ladies,” Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Dr Evelyn Ndlovu said.
Government continues to climate-proof agriculture through Village Business Units, drought mitigation centres, Pfumvudza/Intwasa, and rehabilitation of old and establishment of new irrigation schemes.
A Village Business Unit refers to a community-based, commercially run enterprise established in rural areas to generate income and improve livelihoods through agricultural activities like horticulture, often facilitated by irrigation systems and greenhouses.
Villagers are both shareholders and employees of the business unit, contributing to rural development and economic empowerment.
The initiative is part of the Presidential Rural Development Programme aimed at propelling rural industrialisation.
